Project Background
In fall of 2006, Sun Micro sold its Newark, CA campus, and the Newark employees and labs had to be moved and operational in an all-new facility at their Santa Clara, CA campus by June 2007.

Project Requirements
Engineering had to be complete by December for permitting. Challenges included increasing the proposed plant size by 25% and moving it to a different location; integration of several new high-density computer AC system types by both Liebert and APC; and designing a system capable of doubling in size in the future without interruption of service to users. Sun’s policy of energy conservation required studies of alternate systems, selection of high-efficiency equipment and working with Silicon Valley Power to assure maximum rebates for all installed systems.

What ACCO Delivered
The ACCO Piping crew had to produce a dozen truckloads of large diameter pipe for “just in time” delivery because there was no space to store material, and barely enough space to install it. ACCO managed to thread 3-1/2 miles of pipe through ridiculously tight areas. Sheet Metal had to build and modify duct and shoehorn it into the space between the pipe (not to mention conduit, sprinklers, and lots and lots of data cable). At peak production there were 35 Pipe Fitters and 14 Sheet Metal workers running multiple shifts and overtime. All of this was done in record time in buildings that were not originally designed to accommodate this type of installation.
The Sun Microsystems project is already the largest installation of Liebert and APC High Density Equipment on the West Coast and is designed to expand to almost three times the current capacity. Both Sun and Liebert are using this job as a model facility to show customers the installation techniques and capabilities of the system.